The Franchise Woman

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with entrepreneur, franchise owner, author, and business strategist Mike DeJong. Mike shares how a vacation gone wrong became the catalyst for a complete transformation in how he led his businesses. After realizing that everything depended on him, he began building systems, processes, and teams that allowed his companies to grow without sacrificing his freedom. Today, he helps franchisees and business owners transition from overwhelmed operators into true business owners. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why many entrepreneurs accidentally become the bottleneck in their businesses ✔️ How to build systems that create freedom and scalability ✔️ The difference between operators and owners ✔️ Mike's three business archetypes: Hunters, Architects, and GSDs ✔️ How to identify the right people for your team ✔️ Why fear often disguises itself as stress ✔️ Practical ways to delegate and document processes without becoming overwhelmed ✔️ How failure can become your greatest teacher If you've ever felt trapped by your business instead of empowered by it, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you regain control and create lasting freedom. #TheFranchiseWoman #MikeDeJong #Franchising #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SystemsAndProcesses #BusinessOwner #FranchiseSuccess #SmallBusiness

What happens when a childhood built on responsibility, resilience, and "figuring it out" turns into a thriving franchise brand focused on early childhood education? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Kim Collier, Chief Development Officer of Ducklings Early Learning Center, to discuss how empowering children, embracing messes, and fostering independence can shape stronger families, communities, and businesses. Kim shares the incredible story behind Ducklings Early Learning Center — from her mother launching the first center in 1994 after a local childcare program closed, to franchising the concept and growing toward 22 locations. She opens up about leadership, mindset, working alongside family, and balancing heart-centered purpose with business profitability. This episode explores: Why children learn best through sensory play and exploration The long-term impact of overprotective parenting Building confidence by teaching responsibility early How purpose-driven franchise brands can still prioritize profitability What Ducklings looks for in ideal franchise owners The importance of honesty, trust, and family dynamics in leadership Creating meaningful community connections through childcare Kim's passion for early childhood education and franchise leadership shines throughout this heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Subscribe for more conversations where passion and purpose collide, profits are made, and relationships are forged. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #WomenInBusiness #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Ducklings #FranchiseLeadership #PurposeDrivenBusiness

What does it really take to go from employee to business owner—and build a life around freedom, purpose, and passion? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and co-host Tracy Kawa sit down with Sofia Bongard, franchise owner of Bookskeeping San Diego East, to explore her inspiring journey from Mexico City to entrepreneurship in the U.S. Sofia shares how she went from being the very first employee of her company to becoming a successful franchise owner—and why she initially said no to the opportunity before realizing it was exactly what she needed. In this conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur ✔️ Why franchising can be the perfect fit for highly skilled professionals ✔️ How freedom and discipline coexist in business ownership ✔️ The power of mentorship and unconditional support ✔️ Why passion—not money—is Sofia's driving force ✔️ A refreshing perspective on success, failure, and "just doing it" Sofia's story is honest, relatable, and filled with real-world insights for anyone considering business ownership—especially women looking for flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. 🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, watch, download, and share. #TheFranchiseWoman #FranchiseOwnership #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ZorakleProfiles #SmallBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #FranchiseLife

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jamie Cecil, VP of Franchise Development, and Elizabeth Brasch, EVP of Marketing at Mellow Mushroom—one of the most iconic and unconventional brands in the restaurant franchise space. With over 50 years of history and 160+ locations, Mellow Mushroom has built a brand that thrives on individuality, creativity, and consistency where it matters most. So how do you scale a franchise without becoming cookie-cutter? In this conversation, Jamie and Elizabeth break down what they call "freedom within a framework"—a model that allows each location to be unique while maintaining brand standards in food quality, service, and operations. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: How Mellow Mushroom balances brand consistency with local creativity Why food quality and core systems remain non-negotiable The concept of "freedom within a framework" in franchising How a 50+ year brand stays relevant in a rapidly changing market The challenges of scaling a brand that was built on individuality How modern marketing cuts through noise in today's saturated environment You'll also hear how their rebrand strategy helped strengthen recognition while preserving the brand's unique identity—and why not every part of a franchise should be standardized. If you're a franchisor, franchisee, or entrepreneur thinking about growth, brand identity, and long-term scalability, this episode is a must-watch. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on franchising, leadership, and growth. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #MellowMushroom #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantIndustry #BrandStrategy

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, hosts Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Valerie Bowden, Founder and CEO of CRDLE—a company redefining global outsourcing by connecting U.S. businesses with top-tier talent across Africa. Valerie shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in the Midwest to backpacking solo across Africa, living in Ethiopia for eight years, and ultimately building a high-growth, mission-driven company focused on ethical job creation and world-class remote teams. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why Africa is the next major hub for global talent How ethical outsourcing can drive both profit and impact The biggest misconceptions about hiring African remote professionals Why job creation can be more powerful than traditional charity How franchisors and business owners can scale faster with global teams What it means to build a business by following courage—not convention This episode is a must-listen for franchisors, franchisees, founders, and leaders exploring remote teams, global expansion, and purpose-driven growth. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday 👉 Like, comment, and share this episode with someone building the future of work

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, host Rebecca Monet sits down with Tracy Tilson, President and Founder of Tilson PR, to explore what truly drives effective public relations in today's fast-moving, tech-driven world. Tracy shares why PR remains, at its core, a relationship business—and how listening, curiosity, and genuine gratitude create long-term brand awareness. She dives into her four foundational principles—tenacity, creativity, integrity, and gratitude—and explains how these values shape her agency's work with franchisors, franchisees, and national brands. This conversation covers: Why technology and AI are tools—not replacements—for human connection How strong relationships with media, influencers, and collaborators are built What "story mining" really means and how to find compelling angles in any business Why gratitude and integrity are competitive advantages How creativity helps "boring" businesses stand out The entrepreneurial mindset behind building a boutique PR firm by design If you're a franchisor, entrepreneur, or business leader looking to build brand awareness through authentic storytelling and relationships, this episode is packed with insight you won't want to miss. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday 👉 Like, comment, and share if this conversation resonated with you

What does it look like to build a business rooted in purpose, service, and joy? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, hosts Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Rita Wilson, franchise owner of AlphaGraphics in Beaufort, South Carolina. Rita shares a remarkable journey — from her early career in marketing and the male-dominated newsroom of the 1980s, to directing the Miss Alabama pageant, to ultimately finding her calling as a franchise owner committed to community impact. In this heartfelt conversation, Rita opens up about: Navigating leadership as a woman in business when the rules weren't equal Why resilience and determination matter more than confidence alone How owning a business allows you to give back on your own terms What it truly means to build a legacy of joy Why purpose, people, and service matter more than titles or status This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about profits — it's about how you show up, who you serve, and what people remember long after the work is done. 🎧 Subscribe and listen every Wednesday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 💬 Like, comment, and share this episode with someone who values purpose-driven leadership.

What if leadership meant bringing color, dignity, and humanity back into healthcare? In this powerful episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, host Rebecca Monet and co-host Tracy Kawa welcome Jeanette Weinz, Brand President of Executive Home Care. Jeanette shares her deeply personal journey into home care, the leadership lessons shaped by loss, and why empathy, advocacy, and human connection can never be replaced by technology. From growing Executive Home Care from 13 locations to nearly 100 nationwide, to redefining what quality care truly means, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about healthcare, franchising, and leadership. In this episode, you'll learn: Why home care is about dignity, not just services How purpose-driven leadership fuels sustainable growth The role compassion plays in franchise success Why technology should support—not replace—the human touch How leaders can inspire franchisees by leading with authenticity This is a must-watch episode for franchisors, franchisees, healthcare leaders, and anyone passionate about building people-centered businesses. 👉 Subscribe to The Franchise Woman Podcast for weekly conversations with inspiring leaders in franchising and beyond.